For those who love small streams, wild trout, and life...in their simplest form

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Salters of Red Brook

Yesterday I paid a visit to a favorite stream of mine, Red Brook. Now this would be my second visit in a week, and one of so many over the years. Each time there I gain more knowledge of this incredible fishery. Having fished for brook trout for 40 plus years I figured I had things down pretty good, but these sea-run variety have me back in school.

When I arrived at the Lyman Reserve the weather was cloudy and a mist was a feature but the sun did make a welcomed appearence. I geared up and hit the trail. My plan was to walk upstream using the trail as far as it went, then bush whack a bit further and then fish downstream to tidewater.

The stream side vegetation is now complete and some areas it's very difficult to fish but the trout are there and were willing to take a fly.

Most of the brook trout up this far are in their stream dress, in other words they look like regular brookies. Remember these fish spend time in the sea and will loose their color but gain it back once in fresh water. In the bay they have lots of fish to eat and that's one of the reasons streamers are so effective.Now the curve ball...this beautiful Red Brook specimen took a spider pattern, a small fly if ever there was one. In the stream eat what's there I guess.

Here's where it got interesting. This is as close to the sea as one can get. Last week I hooked a large silver fish just upstream from here. He bolted upstream and then ran downstream very fast. I turned him but he was to strong and headed for the bottom eventually shaking the hook.

Red Brook "salter"

This day I hoked another fish and he started his fight much in the same way as the one I lost last week. This time I was able to win the battle. These are sea-run brook trout. This one still has a muted color from the salt. look at the size of his head and mouth...streamers are hit viciously here. The strength of these fish is hard to about in words but I will say this "they're not your average brook trout"....

I don't know if I'll be back this way for a spell. Summer is for tourists...October is for brook trout.

Hi Alan, Always happy to hear about "salters" first hand. If the Striper population, in MA is anything close to what it is now, in CT, I'm amazed any salters, at all, survive their sojourn into the salt.

John DornikThanksJohn there are ample bass, and these fish deal with them. In the photo of the bridge there have been reports of 40" stripers in that pool. The salters are at the point of moving upstream. The water in the bay is warming and they will find comfort in the stream.

About Me

I have been fishing for more years that I want to say.
Fly fishing since the seventies.
I take the simple approach to fly fishing. Fly fishing need not be complicated.
Take the time to slow down on the water and look to the grand beauty out there in its most simple form.